New releases today: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

Review: The Ballistic Brothers' London Hooligan Soul, originally released in 1995 and now reissued in 2024, is a timeless masterpiece that effortlessly blends trip-hop, acid jazz, and downtempo vibes. From the smooth vocals of 'Portobello Cafe' to the funky horns of 'Soho Cab Ride,' each track delivers a unique sonic experience while maintaining a cohesive soulful atmosphere. 'I'll Fly Away' seamlessly combines breaks and killer basslines, while 'Jah Jah Call You' dives into dub territory with a steady groove. 'I Don't Know' adds a touch of strange easy listening by roughing up familiar samples, while 'Sister Song' infuses rhythmic excitement inspired by Brazilian beats. 'A Beautiful Space' oozes with downtempo funk, while 'Steppin' Into Eden' smoothly transitions into breakbeats. The old-school dub of 'Peckings' exudes joy, while 'Uschi's Lament' closes the album on a mellow, jazzy note. With its eclectic grooves and soulful funk, London Hooligan Soul is a brilliant album that captures the essence of 90s music.

Review: Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few's latest release, The Almighty, embarks on a profound musical odyssey, echoing the spiritual journey of its creators. Collier's compositions transcend mere melodies, delving into the depths of human experience and interconnectedness. With the venerable Dee Alexander lending her emotive vocals to 'Love', the album sets a poignant tone of universal love and empathy. Collier's collaboration with mentor Ari Brown on 'Compassion' exemplifies a beautiful exchange between teacher and disciple, further enriching the album's narrative. In 'Perspective (Peace & Love),' Collier steps into the vocal spotlight, paying homage to jazz luminary Pharoah Sanders while weaving percussive rhythms reminiscent of ancestral heritage. The centerpiece, 'The Duality Suite,' intricately explores the harmony of opposing forces, reflecting the delicate balance inherent in nature and humanity. Culminating in the title track, 'The Almighty,' Collier's mastery of saxophone and orchestration reaches its zenith, orchestrating a symphonic crescendo symbolising resilience and devotion to the transcendent. With echoes of their previous works, The Almighty represents a refined evolution of Collier & The Chosen Few's sonic signature, merging elements of jazz, spirituality, and cultural heritage into a cohesive musical composition. Through intricate and heartfelt performances, the album serves as a poignant reminder of the divine energy permeating all existence.

Review: Handful of Soul was a successful album that sold over 300,000 copies when first released back in 2006. Now reissued by Schema Records in a special edition double vinyl set on blue transparent wax, it reminds us of Mario Biondi's remarkable voice. Hailing from Catania, Sicily, it resonates with soul and rhythm & blues influences and contemporaries like Gregory Porter. The record traverses jazz and soul, offering captivating vocal melodies and dance-worthy rhythms and is supported by trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso and his High Five Quintet who showcase an exceptional interplay among top Italian jazz musicians and deliver instinctive jazz performances.

Review: Celebrated composer, producer, techno talent and ambient craftsman John Beltran is a real Detroit don and now he is back on one of the city's own labels, Motor City Wine, with Volume 4 of Back To Bahia on 7". This one finds him going even deeper than before, starting with 'Laguna', which will soon uplift you with its Afro-Brazilian drums and live bass from James Simonson next to lush keys. 'Just Beyond The Sun' then gets fully Balearic with its mix of sultry trumpet, shuffling and Latin-tinged rhythms and wispy cosmic chords. A real delight.

Review: Sensory Blending is a new collaborative album from Italian collective Aura Safari and Finnish musician Jimi Tenor, born from an impromptu studio session after a Hell Yeah party in Perugia. Despite never having met, their synergy results in a vibrant record brimming with musicality and indelible melodies. Tenor, a psychedelic space-jazz-funk virtuoso, joins forces with Aura Safari's skilled musicians, known for their label regularity and sublime Island Dreams album. From the seductive opener 'Bodily Synesthesia' to the dramatic finale 'Indigo,' Sensory Blending offers a seamless fusion of talents, hinting at potential live performances later this year.

Review: Mukatsuku has got another little treasure on its hands here with a tune from MBE and UK Soul legend Omar. It dates back to 2004 and has never been on 7" before having become something of a classic after original release on 12". Dons like Gilles Peterson and IG Culture were early supporters of the driving, peak time broken beat sound and the tune was often a highpoint of Omar's live sets. It has never been released as an instrumental either - until now. Both tunes now together on one 45 make for an essential cop for soul fans and, as always, there is strictly no repress on this one so move fast.